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How to Build a Membership Website Homepage

Converting visitors to members.

Building a membership website homepage requires some strategy if it’s to succeed in getting a visitor to become a subscriber.

Membership homepages need content designed to introduce, inform, build trust, peak interest and prompt the subscription of a visitor. Depending on the type of site you’re building, you might include all the outlined elements or just a few.

A simple logo

The first element most people add to their website is a logo. While it’s important to convey a brand identity, it shouldn’t be a focal point.

Avoid a large logo which typically creates a lot of empty space in the navigation area and pushes the banner below the fold. Unless you’re a name brand, your logo won’t inspire a visitor to sign up so keep your logo modest in size.

Essential navigation links

Limit your navigation links to no more than six otherwise the header will appear crowded. Non-essential links like About and Contact can be placed in the footer.

Impactful banner

Your banner is the first point of engagement for a visitor as it’s ‘above the fold’. This means it’s the content that first fills the screen. Here’s where you need to make an impact and capture a visitor’s interest.

Use a high-quality, appealing image. Make sure you’ve compressed the file so it loads quickly and doesn’t ‘dribble’ down the screen.

Your banner headline needs to connect with and inspire your audience AND be compelling enough to convince a visitor to keep scrolling. Exercise “power words” to motivate your audience to convert.

Use the subhead, to promote, inform and convince your visitor.

Anchor the text with a call to action button to trigger further action. Link it to your subscribe, store or learn more page.

Showcase member benefits

A showcase section allows you to highlight 3 or 4 key benefits of membership. Keep the text succinct yet descriptive. Be sure to include the relevant keywords you wish to be searchable for as this is vital for SEO.

Consider introducing each feature with a representative icon. This serves the dual purpose of adding visual interest while drawing attention to each benefit. Icons help to reinforce your message.

About yourself

Use this space to make an impression about your service, product, team & philosophy. Share your story and peak a visitor’s interest enough that they will scroll further.

Before & after images

Fitness coaches should spotlight member stories. Include before and after photos to provide authenticity and advertise membership results.

Trustful testimonials

Member endorsements help to build trust and online authority. Consider featuring 2 to 4 member recommendations on the homepage of your membership website.

Feature samples

Samples can be in the form of online tutorials, downloads, workouts or the article content you offer. This provides the opportunity for a visitor to have a sneak peek at your member content and a way for you to engage with your visitors.

Having a mix of member and non-member content is essential as Google doesn’t index content behind paywalls.

Newsletter sign up

Offer a monthly newsletter to capture the email of interested visitors who may not be ready to commit but are potential future members.

List price plans

Hook your visitor at the bottom of your page with a call to action button linking to your subscribe page or with a grouping of your subscription plans outlining your membership options.

Clean & simple

Remember to keep the page structure simple and clean. Don’t overload your website homepage with images and text. White space allows the page to breathe and the visitor to focus.

Finally, pay attention to the colors you employ as every hue triggers specific emotions and can impact conversion.

Are you ready now to get started building your own membership website homepage? Head over to subhub.com and open a free 14 day trial.